Jamis Manwaring Johnson

Jamis Manwaring Johnson passed away in the early hours of March 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. He died in peace, immersed in love, and his choice to be an organ donor saved lives.

Jamis, or “Jamey”, as his family called him, was born on an early snowy morning in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 6, 1986 to Danelle and Jamis Johnson. Four older siblings awaited the phone call, learning of their baby brother’s arrival. Years later, a sister joined the fold, completing the tight-knit group of six siblings.

Named after his father with the same passion for ideas and enthusiasm for life, and nurtured by his doting and affectionate mother, Jamis was set on a path to explore and embrace all that life offered. His childhood was filled with summer evenings on the trampoline, video games, building skateboard ramps in the driveway, practicing slam dunks, and spearheading night games with his friends. As his height grew, so did his proclivity for adventures-doing flips off any raised surface, fearlessly zooming down South Temple Street on his longboard, and flying around the globe to celebrate different cultures.

Jamis attended East High School and the University of Utah, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He attended Columbia University where he received a master’s degree in Computer Science.

Jamis was always ready for an adventure. At 18, he decided to study Chinese in Shanghai, and afterwards he traveled for several months. There is a cherished selfie of Jamis on a bus in Tibet sitting next to a monk in saffron robes. Jamis had given the monk his earphones to introduce him to Pink Floyd, and the monk had fallen asleep on Jamis’ shoulder while listening.

Jamis liked ideas, language and economics. Every morning, he did the New York Times crossword puzzle. In college he organized a gathering of friends and family to discuss the big questions of God and consciousness. At an early age it was apparent that he had an unusual and remarkable mind for mathematics. Jamis applied his mathematical mind at Columbia, studying quantum computing, neural networks, and machine learning.

After graduate school, Jamis settled into life in Brooklyn, where he met his girlfriend Holly Warner. His one-bedroom Williamsburg apartment became their home, complete with their toy poodle, Cosmo, whose name reflects Jamis’ expansive view of life and the universe. The Cosmos-brimming with mystery, unknowability, and beauty-inspired Jamis to appreciate what a profound thrill it was to be alive.

Jamis’ next big adventure was launching PleasrDAO–a first-of-its-kind collective of digital artists and NFT developers and collectors. With Jamis as “Chief Pleasing Officer” (CEO), PleasrDAO gained a reputation for its culturally significant digital art purchases and social impact. After PleasrDAO’s famous purchase of Wu-Tang Clan’s one and only copy of its “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” album, a Rolling Stone profile described Jamis as “wide-eyed and wiry, radiating ‘We can make the world better’ enthusiasm.” Jamis was indeed wide-eyed and wiry, standing tall at 6 foot 4 inches, with an epically long arm span to match. His large, hazel eyes and dazzling grin made anyone in his gaze feel important and seen.

People gravitated towards Jamis, sensing his kindness and authenticity. This rare combination of intelligence, generosity, and pure joy brought people together. Jamis was a loving and loyal son and brother. He was proud to be an uncle and had a special, playful relationship with each niece and nephew.

Jamis is survived by his parents Danelle Johnson and Jamis Johnson (Karen Salas); siblings Clark Johnson (Bethany Pearson), Adrian Johnson (Stephanie Strasnick), Lauren Matthias (John Matthias), Pace Johnson (Stacy Roberts), Ella Johnson (Ryan Mack); and his nine nieces and nephews: Adrian Johnson, William Johnson, Etta Johnson, Coen Johnson, Fairbanks Matthias, Jonas Johnson, Mary Johnson, Poppy Johnson, and Colette Johnson.

The family would like to thank Cindy Tuddenham, Jamis’ second mother from childhood, who spent the last two years helping to care for him, as well as the staff at St. Joseph Villa and the Donor Connect Team.

A memorial service to honor Jamis’ memory will be held on March 22, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at the Ladies Literary Clubhouse at 850 East South Temple, Salt Lake City Utah, 84103 and will be followed by a celebration in his honor.

Jamis left an irreparable hole in the universe with his passing, but, at the same time, he left us with the immeasurable gift of love that will cut across space and time.